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VideoRay 2002 Underwater Robot Redefines Micro ROVs (Remotely-Operated Vehicles) - October 25, 2001

NASA Adds New Features to Swimming Video Camera; Now More Thrust, Control, and Easier Maintenance

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, October 25, 2001 – With its reseller National Marine Suppliers Inc., VideoRay LLC announced today the new VideoRay 2002 ROV. The 8-pound underwater robot features a NASA -developed skid and nozzles, and a range of new features that improve thrust by nearly 80 percent, provide more depth control, and make field and routine maintenance easier. Starting under $12,000, the VideoRay 2002 will be available November 15, 2002. See the VideoRay 2002 in the water at the Boat Show.

Steve Van Meter of NASA/Kennedy Space Center uses VideoRay for diver-less inspections of hazardous underwater areas. Van Meter innovated the new thruster nozzles that boost thrust by 78 percent. The nozzles are much stronger, and easier to remove, clean, and inspect. The nozzles screw on and off without tools.

“VideoRay is a lot of fun, but it is not just a toy,” says Dean DuToit of National Marine. “It is an excellent security device for checking under your boat for contraband and looking at piers, moorings, and your anchor. It’s useful for scoping out dive sites before you get wet and great for entertainment at a dinner party. VideoRay is a must-see because it is the only proven, personal ROV on the market, with hundreds of units in operation in yachts and elsewhere.”

New thruster cones have a cartridge design for easy replacement without opening the submersible. The seal cartridges pop in and out easily, so maintenance can be performed quickly in the field.

First developed by NASA in aluminum and implemented in polycarbonate, the new skid is lighter, won’t scratch boat decks, is more scratch resistant, and can sustain more payload than the previous aluminum skid. The new skid resolves a tendency of the VideoRay to dive and keeps the tether from wrapping around the sub during operation.

The VideoRay 2002 now has a detachable tether for easier transport, handling, and to accommodate specific depths. New modular lengths of neutrally- and positively- buoyant tether can be mixed and matched by simply locking in new sections. The VideoRay 2002 sports a new joystick with a third axis. The new, more ergonomic joystick includes a third axis to optionally handle camera focus, tilt, or vertical movement as well as forward, back, starboard, and port motion.

The AutoDepth feature, previously available only in the VideoRay Pro model, is now standard in all VideoRay ROVs. Like cruise control in a car, AutoDepth allows the VideoRay’s depth to be set and maintained at a depth accuracy within 3 inches. New software allows metric or English depth display with 0.1-foot resolution or 0.1 meter resolution.

Once only for deepwater exploration, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have come down in price, weight, and up in portability. VideoRay isn’t subject to the stringent safety procedures and reviews as human dive missions are. With one person at the remote controls, the ROV can quickly be dropped into the water for underwater surveys, dam inspections, search and rescue missions, archaeological searches, wreck explorations, ship husbandry, tank inspections, and more.

About VideoRay:
With more than 2,000 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in service around the world, VideoRay has clearly become the global leader in Observation ROV technology. VideoRay is an extremely versatile, portable, affordable, and reliable solution for underwater operations including surveys, offshore inspections, search & recovery, homeland & port security, science & research, fish farming, and other unique applications in underwater environments. “Plug and play” technology allows you to quickly attach sensors and accessories in the field so you can successfully complete your mission. VideoRay is available on the General Services Administration.

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WHY VIDEORAY?

AFFORDABILITY

With ROVs starting under $10,000 (in the US), the cost is quickly justified when compared to commercial dive missions or funding the purchase, mobilization, staffing, and operation of larger ROVs.

PORTABILITY

One person can transport the tiny 8-pound sub, control box and tether. The Scout system weighs less than 70 pounds and packs neatly in one rolling Pelican case. All other systems fit in two Pelican cases that can be transported in a car trunk or helicopter, or checked as airline baggage.

USABILITY

Driving the VideoRay is similar to operating a video game. A specially trained ROV pilot is not needed. (In fact, kids raised on video games routinely put adults to shame piloting VideoRay.). VideoRay is equally at home with a search and rescue team as it is with a yacht owner enjoying live views of a coral reef in St. Thomas. Additional controls on advanced models include front camera focus and tilt, rear camera selection and automatic depth holding (see the product detail pages for complete lists of features and capabilities of each model).

SAFETY

Since VideoRay uses less than 500 watts of power, a car or marine battery with inverter, small gasoline generator, or any 100-240 VAC outlet powers the control box and submersible. The current running through the tether to the submersible is a comparatively safe 48 VDC, rather than the possibly lethal 360-plus VDC used by other ROVs. This makes it safe for divers to handle the submersible in the water, and for kids to swim with it in a pool.

REACH

Standard tether lengths vary by model, but additional neutral, negative, and positively buoyant tethers can be added to extend the overall reach of the VideoRay up to 1,100 feet. Tethers are available in a variety of lengths to meet the needs of particular water conditions or projects.